Steering-Boat Wanders
 

I was up in Bay City this weekend to see a friend of mines "New to him" boat. He bought a 26' Carver cabin Cruiser. Single engine I/O Volvo Penta. Older boat but clean with about 1100 hours. We took the boat out and while idling out to the bay the boat wants to wander left to right, so your always fighting the wheel. I didn't think it wasright and if it was my boat it would have driven me nuts. What causes this?

1100 hours? or 110 hours?

steering
 

Duke, A friend of mine had a boat that would constantly do that and it was annoying as hell.I think it was a crownline with a single engine.Other than a bad tiller arm(loose) or a mechanical issue I dont think it can be resolved.Im no expert but I believe it has to do with the overall hull design and the way the nose sits at low speed.Hope it helps.

Brian

I was out on a cruiser a few weeks ago and I wandered wtf I was doing on a log like that . It's surprising how fast we get spoiled.

It could be bow steer if the drive is tucked in to far, a worn out steering system, fin on the out drive not adjusted and working against rotation of the drive and engine and possible a slight breeze blowing on the side of the hull. If you speed up does it correct it self ? These are just some basic things that could be the cause.

That's pretty common on a single engine boat, period.

If he drops the tabs a little, yes it will slow him down; but it should give him a straighter track.

Just for good measure, grab the OD while on the trailer, and try to move it back and forth. If you can move it more than 1/4" or so, something is too loose in the gimble or steering.

1100 hours. I messed with the trim and the tabs-Didn't seem to make a difference too much, but I did notice a bit of an improvement when it was at the 3 position vs 0 on the gauge.(Trimmed up which would push the bow up) At speeds it was fine. I'll have him check he lower unit for play. They have about a 30 minute trip out to the bay each way. Maybe I'll recommend they move to the marina next to the bay. Thanks for all the input.

Very true. Every single I've ever been on does that, even the outboards. Nothing is probably wrong. If he's got tabs, drop them at idle and it should go straight.

My big CCruiser with twins used to do that...when going very slow, into a stiff current.......you could go nuts trying to compensate, or just keep the wheel straight, and it will not deviate much from course....just a little back and forth, back and forth......at least that's how mine was...

1- single engine boats do this a lot
2- extra play in the outdirve also causes this
3- singles with hydraulic steering (no play does this less)
4- some hull brands do this more than others.

Sounds like basic bow steer at idle. It's best to just let the boat move back and forth a bit, instead of trying to constantly correct for it.


Darrell.

I'd bet there's no issue. Drop the tabs and will track straight.
I wish my old jetboat had tabs, that thing wanders like biotch. but you learn to keep it straight.

I agree with unsane and Dmoore, All boats do that to some degree if you let it wander it will only need occasional steering input to hold on course. Can't explain why but it happens. Must be the fluid its in.
Jim

Sounds normal to me.
I grew up on my Dad's single screw cabin cuiser's in the same length range.
You need to learn to compensate before the boat starts heading in the opposite direction, and do it very mildly. If you turn it to port, AS SOON AS it BEGINS to react, bring it back to a neutral steer. It's part of learning the boat. And yes, It's only a problem at idle/no-wake, when on plane you should have full control.

This is funny.

I've had a 24 python, 24 cabin cruiser, currently have a 04 24 sea ray; all three boats did it. It never crossed my mind that something might be wrong - just part of boating with a single engine.